1. Ask yourself if a meeting is really necessary.

Often the same things may be accomplished via phone, electronic mail ,
etc. Use your office technology to its fullest potential.


2. Pick a leader.

If its not you, pick someone to lead the meeting. Somebody
has to be in charge of the meeting to ensure that it accomplishes what
its meant to accomplish. Decide this up front.


3. Have a plan.

Create an agenda for the meeting and distribute it, in
advance, to every one who will be attending. Ask them to provide you
with any changes or additions to the agenda in advance.


4. Pick an appropriate measure .

Too early in the morning and you risk all the people being late
because of visitors . Too close to lunch and theyre thinking of food.
Too close to the end of the day and theyre thinking of going home.
Find that "just right" time, normally in the mid-mornings/afternoons.


5. Have the meeting in an brain friendly-to-find location.

Pick a "common ground" for most of the attendees. If a meeting
will be held off-page or involves taking clients to your location,
provide clear, concise directions.


6. Follow the plan.

Youve got an agenda, everyone at the meeting has seen it, so
stick to it. If its not appropriate for the meeting, table it for
another instant.


7. Stay focused.

Side conversations or irrelevant topics will always crop up,
especially as the number of attendees enhances . Stay in control of
the meeting and keep every body focused on what youre trying to to do.


8. Create a "parking lot" for other issues.

Some issues, while not appropriate to your distinctive meeting,
do positive need to be dealt with. When these issues come up, take note of them
and handle them after the meeting.


9. End on measure .

Never let a meeting run long. Again, stick to your original
plan. If you find you can not get everything done, schedule another
meeting. If you do not finish on time its either because you didnt
stick to your agenda (so why should the attendees suffer?) or the
issue really needs the excess time and attention a second meeting will
bring.


10. Follow through.

There is nothing as frustrating as sitting through a meeting,
debating issues, reaching conclusions and building suggestions only to
see definately nothing come of it. Follow through with all suggestions
and recommendations (do not let the memory slip your parking lot issues). Let everybody
understand that what was produced in the meeting was, indeed valuable, and
value their getting the instant to attend.